News & Media

Over the Edge Raises Spirits - and Over $150,000 for SOCT

Our annual Over the Edge fundraiser hosted by Mohegan Sun took place on August 28th. Fearless friends successfully rappelled an impressive 30+ floors down Mohegan Sun's Sky Tower throughout the day. Thanks to the involvement of 106 bold participants - including law enforcement officers, corporate partners, civic-minded friends, and five of our awesome athletes - along with volunteers, donors, and athletes cheering rappelers on, the event was a great achievement made possible by all. 

The event raised more than $150,000 - funds that will help provide meaningful, life-changing programs to our deserving athletes. 

 

 

Barnes & Noble Book Signing Event Features SOCT's Lopez

Not only is Jordan Lopez an athlete with our Special Olympics Bristol team and awesome leader as a Global Messenger, he is also an accomplished author! Lopez has published two books - Looked Down Upon: The Exiled Kin and Looked Down Upon: A Masked Wickedness. He has been the guest on many podcasts and recently was the featured author for a book signing event at the Barnes & Noble Bookstore in Canton. Lopez also recently made meet-the-author appearances at the Puzzled Kustoms 10^th Annual Car, Bike & Truck Show benefiting Special Olympics Bristol and the Manchester Book Fest.  To learn more about Lopez and purchase his books, visit jordanlopez.com.

Malan Relaunches the SOCT Zoom Room as "SOCT You and Me" Starting October 6th

Special Olympics Glastonbury Athlete, Board Member, and Global Messenger Kimberly Malan is relaunching the SOCT Zoom Room with the new name "SOCT - You and Me" to provide all Special Olympics Connecticut athletes with a virtual way to get together, learn, share, have fun, and get to know each other better. SOCT - You and Me virtual get-togethers will take place the first Tuesday of the month (subject to change), bimonthly, from 7 to 8 p.m. beginning Tuesday, October 6th. All SOCT athletes are invited and encouraged to register in advance (required).

Click here to register. After registering, the athlete will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Croquet Players Refine their Skills at Elizabeth Park Invitational

Our Unified Croquet Invitational was held at Elizabeth Park in West Hartford on August 15th. The annual event provides our athletes and Unified Sports® partners with an opportunity to practice their aim and sharpen their skills as they prepare to compete at our Unified Sports® Fall Festival. Fall Festival croquet competition will take place at the Ocean House in Westerly, Rhode Island, September 19th and 20th.

Riva's First Annual Golf Tournament Benefits SOCT

Special Olympics Connecticut was selected as the recipient of Riva Gives Back and presented with a check for over $12,000. The money was raised through Riva Bar & Restaurant's first annual Riva Golf Tournament and will be dedicated to supporting our Unified Sports® Fall Festival this month.

Unified Fishing, Making Friends at Gemstone Farm

Our athletes were warmly welcomed back to Gemstone Fam in Wilton for a Unified Fishing Derby on August 22nd. They teamed up with friends in the community to hook some big fish and make happy memories at the event which was also made possible by KAZ Outdoors.

Athletes Bowl a Game, Accept a Check at Callahan's

  

Our Global Messengers received a donation of $8,000 from friends at Callahan's Bowl-A-Rama in Newington and appeared in a photo suitable for "frame-ing". Not only does Callahan's provide a great venue for bowling practices, their team of employees also support our athletes as a sponsor. 

Athletes Join Forces with Hotchkiss School Students for First Unified Run/Walk on Campus

Students and members of the faculty, including former SOCT Board Member Keith Moon, held a Unified Cross-Country Run/Walk on the school's course with a barbecue dinner that followed on September 12th. Athletes and Unified Sports® partners with our Unified Long-Distance Running Club, Special Olympics Local Programs, and Global Messenger team delighted in participating and making new friends at the event. 

Athletes Smoke the Competition at Unified BBQ Event

Global Messengers Brandon Knight, Aaron Newton, Logan Rosenberg, and Sam Wollshleager competed in the Camp Harkness Unified Que on September 12th. The athletes were paired with teammates who worked with them to select and prepare an entry in the BBQ competition, and all turned out some tasty, smokin' entries! 

SOCT's Unified Long-Distance Running Team Kicks off Season at the New Haven Road Race 

"The SOCT Unified Long-Distance Running Team blasted off its 2026 racing season at the New Haven Road Race this Labor Day, boasting four new athletes/partners competing for the team. Our delegation consisted of 22 competitors plus a large number of boisterous fans cheering our harriers to the finish," reported Head Coach Kevin Grimes.

In addition to the Labor Day run, the group participated in the Hotchkiss School's 5K and is signed up to run in the 8th Annual Suffield Academy Unified Cross Country Race and Bigelow Tea 5k in Southport, among other events.